Civic/Cultural | Categories | VergesRome Architects

Benet Hall at Saint Joseph Abbey + Seminary College

St. Benedict, Louisiana

Benet Hall consisted of a historic renovation and restoration of a 1960 Mid-Century Modern Theater for Saint Joseph Abbey + Seminary College, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It stands as a testament to theological education, nurturing both students and seminarians alike, fostering their intellectual and spiritual growth.

The building underwent a transformative renovation in response to various significant factors: a catastrophic flood in 2016, a notable increase in enrollment in 2009, and long-term deferred maintenance. In response, our team sensitively addressed all storm-related damages while reimagining the space to better reflect the institution’s mission.

Built in the late 1950’s and recognized on the National Register of Historic Places, the thea

ter was thoughtfully restored to now accommodate academic lectures, musical performances, graduations, and other events while honoring its original architectural details. Additionally, the space was strategically reimagined to include expanded restrooms to meet current plumbing codes, an expanded lobby, creation of a new gift shop / monastic museum, and a welcome center for visitors.

Coordination with regulatory authorities was crucial, as the theater qualified for federal and state historic tax credit programs. By preserving the original mid-century campus features, we have not only returned the space to its intended use but also enhanced its functionality and restored its historic significance.

Benet Hall is the recipient of the 2024 AIA New Orleans Design Award for Adaptive Reuse / Renovation.

Croatian Cultrual Pavillion

Belle Chasse, Louisiana

The Croatian Cultural Pavilion opened its doors in 2023 as the home of the Croatian American Society. The Great Hall can comfortably seat 140 guests using in-house amenities. With additional vendor rentals, the space can seat up to 200 people. The 3,600 SF outdoor pavilion is a comfortable space for community gatherings and events. The maximum capacity for the property is 800 people.

A notable part of the programming was the importance of the oyster grilling kitchen space. Chefs and volunteers work together in an assembly-line style to quickly prepare hundreds of char-grilled oysters during events. The Croatian House hosts the annual Croatian Fest, a lively celebration of the culture featuring traditional dances, oysters, local seafood, Croatian beer and wine, and historical displays.

Society members gathered and installed thousands of oyster shells on an entire wall, highlighting the significance of the staple of the Croatian American heritage. In addition, another kitchen was designed and built for the Croatian community to facilitate dinners and social events amongst their community. Architectural inspiration stems from the cultural heritage of the Croatian homeland, utilizing exterior stone and reclaimed timber to capture the character of Croatian architecture.

The Croatian Cultural Pavilion is a visible display of the society’s prominence, and is a catalyst to further unify and expand the sense of pride within the community.

St. Paul’s Catholic Life Center

Covington, Louisiana

The New Parish Center for St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in New Orleans will house the Church Office, Meeting Rooms, Classrooms, and the Church Hall.

Allie Mae Williams Multi-Service Center

New Orleans, Louisiana

The Allie Mae Williams Multi-Service Center is located at 2020 Jackson Avenue in Central City. The Complex is an important resource in a neighborhood with a long history of advocacy for disadvantaged individuals and groups. In addition to the designated programs of childcare, senior citizen care, public health services and educational opportunity training, the Complex is a hub of political and social activity. It provides meeting spaces for community forums and district planning meetings, provides rental space for a privately run health clinic and provides basic public health screenings.

The existing Senior Center and Edna Pilsbury Buildings received roof repairs and replacement of HVAC systems. Renovations to the Multi-Media Center and Daycare Administration Building will include a Head Start Nursery facility and a branch of the New Orleans Library. The renovated facility, positioned on the Jackson Avenue frontage, will present a welcoming image for the surrounding community, connecting visually to the existing buildings on the campus while reflecting the neighborhood’s vernacular 19th and early 20th century retail architecture.

Allie Mae Williams Multi-Service Center Before Renovations

Department of Public Works Maintenance Building

New Orleans, Louisiana

Construction will begin soon on the City of New Orleans Maintenance Building and Site Construction Project, the first Phase of a Master Plan Development for the City of New Orleans for the Department of Public Works.  This phase consists of a new, 7,217 square foot multi-purpose building that includes 4,475 square feet of office space and a training room for employees.  The remaining 2,700 square feet of area provides space for minor vehicle services and repairs along with associated equipment and storage areas.  Site development includes accessory parking, a vehicle wash area and accommodations for material storage for street repair work.

City Putt Miniature Golf Couse Clubhouse

New Orleans, Louisiana

VergesRome Architects designed a clubhouse for the City Park’s new City Putt miniature golf courses as subconsultant to Prime Consultant, Cashio Cochran, LLC. Located on the west side of the Great Lawn across from Storyland, the City Putt complex is one of many new attractions at the park. 

The program required a conditioned, centrally located lobby for check-in and admissions, pickup and return counters, and putting equipment storage. Two party rental rooms, each with their own icemaker/ bin, are sited on each side of the admissions area. Restrooms and storage space complete the design program.

Decks and footbridges connect the clubhouse to two locally themed 18-hole miniature golf courses with water features winding throughout the site. Decks leading to the golf courses provide ample seating for patrons, and restroom access. An aluminum storefront, custom color-matched to the metal standing-seam roof, supports ample glazing offering wide views over the spacious deck to the mini-golf courses beyond.

The clubhouse is a combination of structural steel and metal stud frame construction with cement-board siding. Exposed steel framing in the interior of the lobby lends a rustic look. Neutral colors are employed throughout, accented by bright splashes of color at the lobby counters.

Oliver Bush Playground Renovations

New Orleans, Louisiana

The site of the Oliver Bush Playground was a once-bustling 30-year-old park in the devastated Lower Ninth Ward that had been used as a staging area for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers equipment and materials in the aftermath of the floods.  VergesRome Architects provided design services that helped bring a much-needed playground and gathering space to Lower Ninth Ward residents.

Site improvements included complete re-grading of the softball field, all new sidewalks and fencing, new lighting for the softball field, four tennis courts, and redesigned landscaping. All new sidewalks at the site are wheelchair accessible.

All electrical service and site lighting were upgraded. Tennis courts were stripped to the subsurface and given new asphalt play surfaces. A freestanding restroom building was demolished and rebuilt to ADA guidelines, with all mechanical and electrical equipment relocated to a new second floor to mitigate future flood damage and loss.

The basketball pavilion was demolished along with its slab and replaced by a spacious open shelter over two regulation-size basketball courts. A third, uncovered court was re-striped. New playground equipment was installed atop a rubber play surface, with new walkways and benches, and a new 900 SF open picnic pavilion was designed for the facility.

Kids Town

Mandeville, Louisiana

Envisioned as an entertaining, educational venue at the popular Tammany Trace Trailhead recreational rail trail, the design of Kids Town at Tammany Trace is intended to reflect the vernacular architecture of the Northshore, with influences of Gulf Coast colonial Louisiana architecture. The new miniature town, financed through the Tammany Trace Foundation, sponsors, and private investors, is now under construction at the Koop Drive Trailhead.

Kids Town design draws inspiration from the cultural fabric of the early days of what was once the nation’s largest railway and reflect a typical stop along the way. A Fire House, Bank, Mercantile and Ice Cream Saloon are among the attractions.

Whimsically designed as if imagined through the eyes of a child, Kids Town will be a place where children will expand their imaginations through interactive play.

Scaled to children, Kids Town allows them to play grown-up in an imaginative setting, being a Sheriff, Firefighter, merchant, banker, railroad engineer, hair stylist, barber or chef. Fostering independence in a safe environment, Kids Town includes a Town Square with a water feature, situated within a tree park, for families to relax in the shade while watching their children laugh, learn and explore.

The Railroad Depot at Kids Town will also serve as a temporary location for the Children’s Museum of St. Tammany while its permanent home is built along the I-12 corridor.

Ground was broken for Kids Town in summer, 2014. Construction is expected to take two years.

400 Royal Street Courthouse Interiors

New Orleans, Louisiana

In 1997, Steven H. Rome was retained by the Governor’s Advisory Board and the Louisiana Supreme Court to assist in determining the most feasible location for Louisiana’s highest court to call home–after fifteen years of governmental indecision on the issue. Historical documents were accumulated to create a booklet that was presented to the legislative assembly as an impartial recommendation to keep the Supreme Court in New Orleans and return it to its former home and original splendor at the historic Beaux Arts courthouse at 400 Royal Street.

In 2004, under a separate Phase, VRA developed and implemented the Interiors, Furniture, and Furnishings Program for multiple End Users including Supreme Court of Louisiana, Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, Law Library of Louisiana, Judicial Administrator’s Office, and Attorney General’s New Orleans office, all of which relocated to 400 Royal Street upon completion of the 200,000 SF, $32 Million renovation.

5th Circuit Court of Appeal

Jefferson Parish, Louisiana

VRA designed a 40,000SF courthouse located in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana. The three-story facility incorporates grade level parking with two floors above for judicial functions.

The facility contains two courtrooms, the Clerk of Court and administrative offices, and outdoor courtyard spaces. Individual suites accommodating each of ten judges, as well as conference rooms and dining room, are located on the third floor, with extensive glazing offering sweeping views of the Mississippi River and the New Orleans city skyline.

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal Court House earned an AIA Committee on Architecture for Justice Design Award, as well as being featured in Retrospective of Courthouse Design, 1999-2001, published by the National Center for State Courts. The facility was also honored with a People’s Choice Award sponsored by a New Orleans weekly newspaper.

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